What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paraplanner / Client Service Associate position at Retirement In Focus?
Job Title: Paraplanner / Client Service Associate
Required / Preferred Qualifications
Location: Darien, CT (Commutable from Stamford/Greenwich/New Canaan)
Reports to: Senior Financial Planner / Lead Advisor
We are a boutique financial advisory firm serving high-net-worth and mass-affluent clients in Fairfield County. We are hiring a Paraplanner to support our retirement planning advisory team by performing financial planning research, preparing client deliverables, and helping coordinate plan implementation — working closely with our lead advisors to focus on high-level strategy, client relationships, and growth.
- Planning Support
- Attend, and eventually conduct, client meetings including discovery, analysis presentation and client reviews.
- Support advisors in preparing comprehensive financial plans (cash flow analysis, retirement projections, college funding, tax-efficient distribution, etc.).
- Financial planning modeling and projections using planning software (e.g. cash flow projections, e-Money simulations, scenario-based analyses).
- Prepare client meeting materials: financial plans, presentation slide decks, summary reports, charts, graphs.
- Conduct research on investments, insurance, estate planning strategies, tax implications, and appropriate products to support plans.
- Operational / Client Service / Trading
- Monitor clients’ plan progress, track ongoing review items and action lists.
- Assist in client service tasks — e.g. account reviews, performance reporting, trade confirmations, periodic plan updates.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date client files and documentation.
- Collaborate with advisors and operations staff to ensure compliance, regulatory and firm standards in plan implementation.
- Maintain accurate client records in CRM and custodial platforms.
- Track and follow up on outstanding paperwork to ensure timely completion.
- Assist with compliance requirements (archiving, reporting, and documentation).
- Support scheduling, meeting prep, and internal coordination as needed.
- Coordinate with trade teams and insurance carriers to support implementation (account opening, transfers, insurance applications,trade tickets).
- Bachelor’s degree (Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or related field) or equivalent relevant experience.
- First 3 months: fast track to Series-65 licensing ( salary increase once achieved)
- Next 3 months: fast track to Life & Health Insurance licensing (salary increase once achieved)
- 2–5 years experience in paraplanning, financial planning, or related support role (or a strong internship record at large advisory firms or RIAs).
- Familiarity with financial planning concepts: retirement planning, cash flow modeling, investments, tax planning, estate planning, risk management.
- Ability to demonstrate expert level spreadsheet skills and familiarity with spreadsheet modeling of basic financial concepts:
- Time value of money - FV, PV, Discount rate, compounding
- Loan amortization, PMT, IPMT, PPMT
- NPV, DCF, IRR, Payback period, CAGR
- Comfort with financial planning software (e.g. eMoney) and MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google Suite).
- Strong problem-solving skills with practical application of analytics and quantitative analysis
- Attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, client-ready deliverables.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Professionalism, discretion, and ability to handle confidential financial and personal client information.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Progress toward or interest in professional credentials (e.g. CFP®, CFA®, CPA).
- Team-oriented, collaborative, respectful of clients’ needs and advisor time.
- High degree of professionalism
- Client-service mindset: organized, responsive, proactive.
- Integrity, discretion, and high ethical standards.
- Comfortable working in a small-to-mid size advisory firm, adaptable and willing to take on varied tasks.
- Base salary range: $60,000 to $90,000 per year depending on licensing, experience, and demonstrated ability.
- Salary increased based on life insurance licensing and Series 65 new credential achievement.
- Performance bonus based business growth, and contribution to client service/implementation.
- Career path options: Director of Financial Planning, Service Advisor, Lead Advisor
- Benefits: On-site employee Gym, paid time off, continuing-education support (e.g. Series-65, Life & Health Insurance, CFP course reimbursement), professional memberships
- Work closely with senior advisors — mentorship, opportunity to gain experience in full financial planning and wealth management lifecycle.
- Fast track to insurance and Series-65 licensing with study-cost reimbursement salary increase upon achievement
- Direct interaction with clients
- Exposure to a broad cross-section of financial-planning matters — retirement, investments, tax, estate planning, insurance.
- Opportunity for professional growth and advancement, including support for credentialing (CFP®, CFA®, etc.).
- Small firm culture — more impact, more variety, and direct visibility to leadership and clients.
Salary : $60,000 - $90,000